Local Government K Stafford MBMS 2014 County Organized

Local Government K Stafford MBMS 2014

County Organized area of a state ◦ Vary in size, population ect. County Seat- Town where the county courthouse is located Most counties run by a board of elected officials called Commissioners or Supervisors

Local Government There are 67 counties in the state of Florida each with an elected board of county commissioners Counties carry out county-level constitutional and state mandated responsibilities

County Responsibilities Constitutional Responsibilities ◦ ◦ ◦ Law Enforcement Tax Collection Property Appraisal State Court Administration Election Supervision

County Responsibilities State Responsibilities ◦ Road Maintenance ◦ Public Health ◦ Education System Schools- Each County has an elected School Board that runs the k-12 Public Education ◦ Special Purpose Local Government ◦ Funded through local taxes and state revenues

Creating a City A city is defined as an Incorporated place with an organized government that provides services to the people An area incorporates after the people of the area ask for a City Charter(similar to a constitution) Municipality- official name for city City’s have home rule, the right to create their own ordinances

City Governments Mayors act as the chief executive for the city Councils act as the city legislature A Mayors powers are either “strong” or “weak” this is determined by the city charter

County Courts Judges at the county and city level are elected State court judges are appointed by the Governor and every 7 years the citizens vote to keep them or not Florida Supreme Court has 7 justices

State Government Legislative 21 years old Live in state 2 years Executive 30 years old Live in state 7 Years Judicial Member of Florida Bar Association for 5 years Florida State Congress Governor Supreme Court 7 Justices State Representative Lieutenant Governor Can vote in State Senate as Tiebreaker State Courts State Senator County Courts